Find A Bargain At An Antique Auction

      The first thing you have to do to find a bargain at an antique auction is show up.  You can't find any bargains sitting at home.  Show up.  Most auctions have a preview of what is for sale before the auction starts.  Show up early so you can look at what is being auctioned.  Look for cracks, dents, chips, missing parts and other flaws.

     Almost all auctions are governed by "caveat emptor", which means let the buyer beware.  If you are thinking of bidding on an electric tool, plug it in and be sure it works.  If you can't plug it in, caveat emptor.

    Decide how much you are willing to bid now.  Don't wait until the bidding starts.  If you are willing to bid $100 for an item, when the bidding reaches $100. shut up.

     If you are a novice dealer, trying to learn what stuff is worth, there is no cheaper way to learn than going to auctions.  You decide that an item is worth $100.  That is your maximum bid.  You notice that that item sells for $180.  After a short while you will learn what things are worth by watching what other bidders are willing to pay.  Those others bidders are real people bidding with real money.  Pay attention.  It is free education.

     Always drive your largest vehicle to an auction.  You have to take these bargains home.  Big stuff is often a bargain at an auction because your competitive bidder is driving a Volkswagen.  They don't bid.

     As you are looking at items at the preview, ask questions of your fellow bidders.  Listen to their answers.  This is more free education.  Ask your fellow bidder,"How old do you think this widget is?".  Often, they will tell you how old it is and how they know that .  You will know next time.  Ask questions and listen to the answers.

     Get to know the auctioneer if possible.  When you bid, you want to be certain the auctioneer sees your bid.  Bid quickly if you want  something.

     Be sure that you understand what is being offered.  Often auctioneers sell  two items as a pair.  They might sell two (or more) items as choice.  That means if they have two lamps, be sure you know if you are bidding on both or your choice of one.  If in doubt, ask.  This is no time to worry about being embarrassed.

     Listen to the auctioneer's announcements before the auction starts,  He will usually explain these things at that time.

     At an auction, you own the item that you bid on as soon as the gavel drops. There is no changing your mind.  If you win the bid, you owe the money.  Auctions are a fun way to find some bargains and at the same time, learn about the value of things.

     In the old days, department stores used to have "bargain basements".  This is where the super bargains were.  An auction's equivalent to the bargain basement is the last hour.  As the auction grows to an end, the super bargains appear.  Most of the merchandise is gone.  Most of the audience is gone also.  At noon, you were bidding against  a hundred people with a pocketful of money.  At 2:30, you are bidding against twenty people that have already spent more than they intended to.  Most people that go to an auction are there for one or a few items.  Once they have bought or been out bid for what they came for, they go home.  Near the end, the auctioneer brings up an item that you are interested in.  There is no one there to bid against you.  You buy it cheap.  Life is good.  Stay until the end.  You have already done the hard part.  You showed up with your largest vehicle.

     Check out an auction in your area.  To find an auction in your area, go to www.auctionzip.com .  You will be glad that you did.  If you have an antique or two that you want to sell and you are anywhere in western Carolina,   contact us at www.ronclimer.com   or 828 755 6996 .